Hats off to Luton

A bitterly cold November Saturday brightened by the thought of going to see a Luton Town team which a year ago was riding high at 5th in the Championship after beating Leeds 5-1, but subsequently has managed to sell a plethora of great players whilst falling down a Division, announced grandiose plans for a new stadium in a green-belt site no-one seems to like, lost the trust of thefans, attracted 50 charges from the FA for breach of regulations by just about the entire Board, gained a new and charismatic Chairman who has publicly invested in the Club after an extensive period of due diligence (how difficult can it actually be) and has now, just 6 months later, decided that the Club is insolvent.

Rip van Winkle would struggle to believe all this could have happened in ten years, let alone twelve months.

But the good news, with the Town at home to Southend and desperately seeking a fit strike force, is that Dean Morgan can’t play. Why is that good news? Because he is one of the many ‘legacy’ players Manager Kevin Blackwell won’t play, and has been loaned to Southend.

So the Town team:



Brill

Keane Coyne Fojut Jackson

Edwards Spring Wilson Bell

McVeigh

Andrew

New loanee Marc Wilson in midfield, and another, Anthony Grant, on the bench, along with Talbot, Currie, Hutchison, Robinson.

Ironic cheers for the news that a certain Amy Rayner was running the line.

A decent number of away fans, but lots of gaps in the Kenilworth.

An undistinguished start but after twelve minutes Jackson curled over a right-footed cross from the left. Edwards had to lean back to reach it but flicked a delightful header which Southend keeper Steve Collis just tipped against the bar, at full stretch. The rebound fell to McVeigh on the left edge of the 6 yard box. His panicked shot flew across the goal and through the legs of Edwards as he tried in vain to flick it in.

Drama at the other end a minute later as Jackson stretched to touch the ball back to Brill but was adjudged to have brought down his man. The resulting penalty was hit like a rocket to Brill’s right but somehow he managed to clutch it tight.

And seconds later he tipped a point-blank header over the bar.

But thereafter it was reasonably fast, hard fought, but not exciting. Neither team dominating and neither really looking like scoring.

On 28 a driven free-kick from Spring found the head of Wilson, but his firm downwards header went straight to Collis.

On 38 minutes Fojut was replaced by loanee Antony Grant, who went to right back with Keane moving to the centre half position.

So 0-0 at half time and little to suggest that the second half would produce a goal-fest.

No changes at half time.

A lively start to the second half too, though no real chances, and after 56 minutes Blackwell brought Currie on for McVeigh.

On 28 a beautiful dummy and turn by Spring, away down the left. His cross to the far post saw Collis desperately scrambling across goal but to no avail as Andrew easily nodded in.

So 1-0 and the fans started, at last, to believe. Chants of “We`re skint, and we`re 1-0 up”.

Two minutes later and Calvin chased a hopeful ball to the edge of the Southend area, to find the keeper almost there. But somehow he reached it and then ran back across the box in a chase worthy of the Keystone Kops, pursued by keeper and left back. He managed to squeeze a shot in as he fell under the combined challenge, but it rolled agonizingly wide of an empty net

And for the rest of the half the Town appeared comfortable without likely to extend the lead. And 1-0 it finished, lifting the Town two places after a brief spell at bottom.

Scores:

Brill 8 a great penalty save
Keane 6 a bit off the pace first half but settled well, particularly at centre half
Fojut 6 good til the concussion
Coyne 6 pushed and shoved without penalty
Jackson 7 did well on the wrong side
Edwards 5 huffed and puffed but didn`t quite get there
Spring 8 MoM and deservedly so
Wilson 7 looks the part as an energetic and determined midfielder
Bell 6 less convincing than usual
McVeigh 4 a waste of a shirt
Andrew 6 his touch always takes him away from goal


Subs:

Grant 7 very promising at right back
Currie 7 typical twisting and turning but less than energetic game.